The family of a teenager with a love of nature have today paid tribute to a “much loved son, brother and friend to many” after he died in a traffic collision on Sunday.

Jamie Ackerman, 17, died from the injuries he sustained during a collision between his motorbike and a car on an unclassified road between Chacewater and Bissoe.

This took place just after 5.15pm on Sunday, at Cross Lanes, Twelveheads.

Today his family released a tribute to the former Cusgarne, Richard Lander School and Truro College student, who was studying horticulture at Duchy College at the time of his death.

They said: “Jamie had a huge smile for everybody, and enjoyed every moment of his life to the full, and without a doubt was an inspiration to all that knew him.

“He helped many people that he met along his way and greeted everyone with a kindness and patience that can only be described as one of a kind. He was refreshingly colourful and could always bring laughter and happiness to any room.

“He will be sorely missed by his family and his many friends, and will leave a lasting hole in all our lives.”

They also spoke of his “passion” for the natural world, saying he was “thoroughly enjoying his course.”

Jamie was also an enthusiastic fencer and member of Truro Fencing Club, and held the Under 18 South West Epee Championship. He had fenced abroad in France, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and Poland.

Jamie had been a member of the Four Burrow Pony Club and still enjoyed horse riding with his family and friends, they added.

Police have today re-issued their appeal for witnesses to the collision. They want to speak to anyone who was travelling along the road at Cross Lanes between 5.10pm and 5.15pm, and who may have seen a motorcycle travelling towards Bissoe, or an orange Peugeot 207 travelling towards Chacewater.

Contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Camborne, by using the 101 number and quoting reference number 597 13/11/2011.

  • A 29-year-old man from Falmouth has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

He was released on police bail until January 26, 2012.